Big Sean delivers his best album yet with Dark Sky Paradise

The moment we’ve been waiting for is finally here. Big Sean‘s third album, Dark Sky Paradise, is now available on iTunes after a string of solid singles, music videos, and behind-the-scenes clips. The few songs we’ve already heard have already proven this is his most personal effort yet.

We’ve always felt that Sean has always been a rapper on the cusp of something greater than he is. We’ve just been waiting on him to show out.

His first big single, “My Last,” was a hit, but most credited that to a banging hook from Chris Brown. Kanye West put Sean on two of the biggest posse cuts of 2012 – “Mercy and Clique” – only to see him get outshined by everyone else.

He then released the most buzzed about single of 2013 with “Control.” Only, the song’s success had nothing to do with him and everything to do with Kendrick Lamar’s verse. Even Sean’s biggest single to date, 2011’s “Dance (A$$),” is totally owned by guest Nicki Minaj.

However, it looks like the rapper’s new album looks to change that trend. The 26-year-old’s third effort is a good record that finds him coming close to his full potential, in our opinion.

The album starts with “Dark Sky (Skyscrapers)” a decent intro that overplays the reaching for the stars metaphor. Things get interesting after that, as Big Sean holds his own with Drake “Blessings” and completely gets blown out of the water by West on the amazing “All Your Fault.” Yet, West is so swaggering on the latter, it’s hard to fault Sean.